Using Forms

Beginning a SirForms Session

This assigns a level of security for reading data. If particular records or variables have a higher level of security, you cannot read them.

This assigns a level of security for writing data. If particular records or variables have a higher level of security, you cannot update them.

If the database is not in your directory, SirForms needs to know where to find it. The prefix is the path name to locate the database.

All of these parameters can be specified on the execution statement or can be entered in response to prompts. If a particular prompt does not apply, simply skip it.

Entering Commands

SirForms commands cyan be entered in one of three ways:

1. Function keys. Some common commands are performed with Function keys. Function keys such as F1 are 'mapped' to specific commands; i.e. pressing the key performs the command. You can alter this mapping to suit your own style of working.

   The standard use of Shift-F1 is to display "key help". This is a list of keys mapped to functions. While this is displayed, you can update the mapping by using the menus on the screen. The mapping for SirForms defaults to SirForms.kmp. If this file does not exist, when you start SirForms for the very first time, you are prompted to set up some essential key maps. Whenever a specific key is mentioned in this documentation it assumes that no re-mapping has been done.

2. Command Line. Commands can be entered at the command line but first you must position to the command line by either pressing the Ctrl-Enter (Command function key) or entering an = (equals sign) as the first and only character of a field. If the field is long enough then a command can be entered in the field by preceding it with an = (eg =WRITE).

3. Special Characters. Certain characters may be entered as the first and only character in a data field and these then act as a command. Enter the single character command (which clears the field) and press Enter. The command is executed leaving the field unchanged with the original value restored.

Status Area

F | S

If the second code is a "V", the screen is in Verify mode. Verify is used to validate existing data. It is used in conjunction with either Find or Search mode. In Verify mode, you re-enter data and SirForms checks it against the data already stored. This means you are re-keying existing data to check the accuracy of data entry (known as double key verification).

E means the screen is in Edit mode and that in-line editing is enabled. This is the default. N means the screen is in Noedit mode and you must rekey the whole of any field to change data within it.

Entering Data

Insert/Overstrike

Clear the whole entry in the field with the (DelField) key. Cursor is left in the field.

Restore a cleared field with the (UndelField) key.

Store a blank in a field. Equivalent to entering a single space bar character in the field. Cursor is advanced to the next field.

Stores a system undefined value in the field. Cursor is advanced to the next field.

Long Character Fields

No Data

Field Help

Flow of Control

Accessing Records and Rows

Creating New Records

If you omit a key field, the first record that matches whatever keys are entered is retrieved. If all key fields are blank, the first record in the database is retrieved.

If the screen has been specified to write records automatically, it is possible to create new records erroneously. If a record key (all the key fields) is entered which is not on the database, a new record is created. When you move away from the screen or restart, that record is written automatically. Use the DELETE command to flag the record for deletion in this instance.

To mark a key field, position the cursor to the keyfield and use the (Mark) key. Forms responds with the message A "key level tagged". Then enter the start key value. To enter a different start key, mark the key again.

For Example: Use the Employee record and suppose 46 exists, but 45 does not. First mark the Identification Number and enter 45. Note that Employee 46 is displayed and that you can use (Next) and (Prev) to browse forwards or backwards from that point.

Now do not mark Identification Number and enter 45. Note that a new employee, 45, is created and if you use (Next) or (Prev) an error message 152 A "Command is not legal at current time" is issued.

Search Mode

To set the search specifications, set Search Mode with the SEARCH command at the command line. This displays a screen with all fields blank. Then enter values in the fields to be searched. When you have finished entering the search specification, use FIRST, NEXT, PREVIOUS or LAST to retrieve matching records. While searching for a record to match the search specification, you may see a ".....searching" message displayed on the Status line.

If there are no more records that match the search pattern, a message is displayed. Terminate the search with RESTART.

The search specifications in individual fields are used to search for records with values which match all of the specified values.

The wildcard symbol can appear more than once in the field. For example, %ABC%, finds names that contain ABC anywhere in the name.

Patterns can be used in a WHERE ... LIKE command. For example, to search for all the people whose names start with Fred:

Verify Mode

To stop using Verify mode, use the NOVERIFY command at the command line.

Printing Screens

This is a text representation of the screen not a graphic. If you wish to save a "picture" of a screen, use your normal screen save process. (eg Alt PrtSc in Windows).

Keys and Commands

To use the command symbols, enter the single character command (which clears the field) and press Enter. The command is executed leaving the field unchanged with the original value restored.

Key	Sym.	Command	Action
Shift-F1			Get help on keys
Esc	<	RETURN	Go back a screen
Shift-Esc	.	STOP	Go back to stop screen
Left Arrow			Moves left in a field for editing. Returns to a previous screen at a CALL prompt
Right Arrow			Moves right in a field for editing. Moves to chosen screen at a CALL prompt
Down Arrow			Moves past a field
Up Arrow			Moves back a field
Del			Deletes the character at the cursor position.
Bksp			Deletes the character before the cursor position
shift-Del			Delete the field
ctrl-Z			Restore the previously deleted field
ctrl-U			Make a field Undefined
ctrl-B			Make a field blank
ctrl-F1	?		Get help on a field
Alt-F1	!		Get dictionary help on a field
Pg Dn	>		Call Screen or Page Down
Shift-Enter	=		Go to Command Line
Ctrl-M	@		Mark a key level
Ctrl-Left Arrow	(	FIRST	Retrieve first record or row
Ctrl-Right Arrow	)	LAST	Retrieve last record or row
Shift-Right Arrow	]	NEXT [n]	Retrieve next record or row. [Skip forward n.]
Shift-Left Arrow	[	PREVIOUS [n]	Retrieve previous record or row. [Skip back n.]
Ctrl-R	*	RESTART	Clears the current screen to specify new keys to retrieve.
	^	TOP	Moves cursor to first field on page
		CANCEL	Restores original data.
		DELETE	Marks record or row for deletion.
		DFIRST	Deletes current and retrieves first.
		DLAST	Deletes current and retrieves last.
		DNEXT n	Deletes current and retrieves next.
		DPREVIOUS n	Deletes current and retrieves previous.
		DRESTART	Deletes current and restarts screen.
		DRETURN	Deletes current and returns to calling screen.
		EXIT	Finishes SirForms session.
		FIND	Sets Find on.
		NOVERIFY	Turns Verify off.
		PAGE n	Moves to a page.
		PRINT	Prints screen. DATA prints data only. LABEL prints labels only.
		SEARCH	Sets search mode.
		STATUS	Displays status.
		UNDELETE	Removes delete flag from current record or row if it is marked for deletion.
		UPDATE	Writes record and positions to first field on record
		WHERE	Sets a search condition.
	#	WRITE	Writes record and clears screen.